13 answers
Xander
Student
Norton, Virginia
5
Questions
Asked
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Do college applications have to be tragic?
Don't get me wrong, I can write about many tragic things that have happened in my life, but that doesn't make up who I am.
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13 answers
Andrew Cheung
Project Management
30
Answers
Santa Clara, California
Updated
Andrew’s Answer
Xander, no I dont think college applications need to be tragic. You don't need to have a sad or heart-breaking story about a family member that passed away.
Doc provided a good summary of what is needed, so I will try not to repeat his points.
Personal story/background:
In your application, you want to highlight what makes you unique including your clubs, work experience, and other activities. Having a well-rounded background is important as well including having a mix of good grades and afterschool activities. This can be explained more in your application essay.
Tell them who you are and how you will be a good fit for that college. For example, if are applying to a college with a history of accepting first year generation students you can talk about how you are the first in your generation to go to college. Many colleges have strong ties to their community such as cancer funding or other special interests/groups. If you can relate to that aspect, that will be a plus on your applicaiton.
Do research:
Look on the school website to see if they are doing tours for prospective students. With more info about the school, you can add insights to your application to give you an edge. Watch Youtube vidoes to see if current students talk about campus life, clubs/programs, and why you should go to that college.
If you are interested in a program like 4 year Business Finance program, talk about it in your essary. Mention classes you are interested in taking, why you want to join this program, and how you plan to use your education to advance your career such as start a business or your interest in becoming a financial analyst.
If you know alumni from that school, ask them what is important to that school and what qualities they liked and disliked.
If you think about it from the college application board's view, you may want to think about how well you fit the college standards/culture before submitting the application to increase your chances of being admitted.
- Is this student a good fit for this college/ Bachelor's program?
- Does the student have similar values/beliefs as our college?
- After he/she graduates, will they be an ambassador for the school?
- Does the applicant check all the boxes (examples- Good grades, After school activities, contributor to their school?)
- If an interview is required, how did he/she do compared to other applicants?
Good luck.
Other Sources:
https://www.usnews.com/education/best-colleges/articles/college-application-process
https://www.princetonreview.com/college-advice/national-college-decision-day-advice
Doc provided a good summary of what is needed, so I will try not to repeat his points.
Personal story/background:
In your application, you want to highlight what makes you unique including your clubs, work experience, and other activities. Having a well-rounded background is important as well including having a mix of good grades and afterschool activities. This can be explained more in your application essay.
Tell them who you are and how you will be a good fit for that college. For example, if are applying to a college with a history of accepting first year generation students you can talk about how you are the first in your generation to go to college. Many colleges have strong ties to their community such as cancer funding or other special interests/groups. If you can relate to that aspect, that will be a plus on your applicaiton.
Do research:
Look on the school website to see if they are doing tours for prospective students. With more info about the school, you can add insights to your application to give you an edge. Watch Youtube vidoes to see if current students talk about campus life, clubs/programs, and why you should go to that college.
If you are interested in a program like 4 year Business Finance program, talk about it in your essary. Mention classes you are interested in taking, why you want to join this program, and how you plan to use your education to advance your career such as start a business or your interest in becoming a financial analyst.
If you know alumni from that school, ask them what is important to that school and what qualities they liked and disliked.
If you think about it from the college application board's view, you may want to think about how well you fit the college standards/culture before submitting the application to increase your chances of being admitted.
- Is this student a good fit for this college/ Bachelor's program?
- Does the student have similar values/beliefs as our college?
- After he/she graduates, will they be an ambassador for the school?
- Does the applicant check all the boxes (examples- Good grades, After school activities, contributor to their school?)
- If an interview is required, how did he/she do compared to other applicants?
Good luck.
Other Sources:
https://www.usnews.com/education/best-colleges/articles/college-application-process
https://www.princetonreview.com/college-advice/national-college-decision-day-advice
Patrick Meyer
Executive - Data Analytics and AI
780
Answers
Naperville, Illinois
Updated
Patrick’s Answer
In the realm of college applications, it's a widespread misunderstanding that the more sorrowful or dramatic the personal statement, the superior it is. However, this couldn't be further from the truth. While expressing personal trials and triumphs over adversity can indeed enrich your application, it's not the only measure of your value or appropriateness as a candidate. What admissions officers seek is genuineness, resilience, and self-awareness in applicants, not just a tale of hardship.
Your college application is a platform to highlight your distinctive qualities, achievements, and ambitions. It's crucial to be truthful about your experiences, but it's equally significant to underscore your strengths, passions, and contributions. Try to structure your personal statement around instances of growth, persistence, or occasions where you've shown leadership, inventiveness, or initiative. Share stories that depict your character, values, and the influence you've had on others.
Furthermore, colleges aim to create a diverse and well-rounded student population. This implies that your interests, abilities, and experiences beyond any sorrowful events are equally important in shaping your application. Whether it's scholastic accomplishments, involvement in extracurricular activities, community service, or unique hobbies, these facets of your identity contribute to the diverse picture of you as a candidate.
Bear in mind that college admissions officers are not seeking a flawless life story but rather a sincere portrayal of you as a person. Your personal statement should mirror your personality, interests, and ambitions, while also demonstrating your capacity to think critically and communicate effectively. Don't feel compelled to invent or exaggerate experiences to fit a certain narrative; instead, concentrate on presenting the most genuine version of yourself.
To sum up, while sorrowful experiences can undoubtedly mold and impact your identity, they don't entirely define you. Your college application should provide a comprehensive view of your strengths, passions, and potential contributions to the academic community. Cherish your unique journey, applaud your achievements, and approach the application process with faith in your capabilities and the worth you bring to the table.
Your college application is a platform to highlight your distinctive qualities, achievements, and ambitions. It's crucial to be truthful about your experiences, but it's equally significant to underscore your strengths, passions, and contributions. Try to structure your personal statement around instances of growth, persistence, or occasions where you've shown leadership, inventiveness, or initiative. Share stories that depict your character, values, and the influence you've had on others.
Furthermore, colleges aim to create a diverse and well-rounded student population. This implies that your interests, abilities, and experiences beyond any sorrowful events are equally important in shaping your application. Whether it's scholastic accomplishments, involvement in extracurricular activities, community service, or unique hobbies, these facets of your identity contribute to the diverse picture of you as a candidate.
Bear in mind that college admissions officers are not seeking a flawless life story but rather a sincere portrayal of you as a person. Your personal statement should mirror your personality, interests, and ambitions, while also demonstrating your capacity to think critically and communicate effectively. Don't feel compelled to invent or exaggerate experiences to fit a certain narrative; instead, concentrate on presenting the most genuine version of yourself.
To sum up, while sorrowful experiences can undoubtedly mold and impact your identity, they don't entirely define you. Your college application should provide a comprehensive view of your strengths, passions, and potential contributions to the academic community. Cherish your unique journey, applaud your achievements, and approach the application process with faith in your capabilities and the worth you bring to the table.
Doc Frick
Career Coach and Mentor
1619
Answers
California, CA
Updated
Doc’s Answer
• ACADEMICS - Strong academics is one indicator of your long-term achievement. When a you can manage an academic schedule successfully, it shows that you possess the skills that will translate into other areas of their life, including college academics. Good grades demonstrate intelligence, but they also show that your organized, possesses time management skills and are motivated to do well. Although a strong GPA is an important factor when considering application, it is only one piece of your total application.
• EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES - Participating in extracurricular activities allows you to expand your interests, try new things and excel outside of the classroom. These can include school-sponsored and community activities like clubs, sports, the arts and other interests such as community service, student government or political activist groups. These extracurricular activities allows you to shine in areas outside the classroom and show your diversity, leadership, interests and passions. If these activities happen to align with your desired college major, your participation will demonstrate your interest and experience to college admissions teams.
• ESSAY - Essays are an important part of your application as they provide color to your application beyond just your test scores. Here, you can showcase your technical writing and storytelling skills to tell the admissions team what makes you unique. Write about a specific event, person or circumstance that has had an impact on your life. Share your personal story in a way that lets the admissions team get to know you on a personal level. They already know about your grades, accolades and recommendations. This is your time to share your own story with them.
• RECOMMENDATION LETTERS - Letters of recommendation reveal a side of the you from a different perspective and are essential to the application process. Coaches, teachers, advisors and administrators provide insights into your personality that can’t be quantified. They notice things like leadership, kindness, and integrity. When asking for recommendation letters, consider the people that can best describe your strengths, interests and ambitions. This part of your application is an important piece in showing that you are a highly qualified candidate for college admissions through your actions.
• SHOW INTEREST - Interest in the Institution
It is worth the time and effort to demonstrate interest in a college, especially ones that are your top choices. Begin by simply requesting more information or reaching out to the admissions team. Your admissions counselor will be a vital connection to the university – once you’ve been assigned a point of contact, be sure to reach out and introduce yourself. This person will be a valuable resource throughout the application process and can answer any questions you have along the way.
Hope this is helpful Xander
• EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES - Participating in extracurricular activities allows you to expand your interests, try new things and excel outside of the classroom. These can include school-sponsored and community activities like clubs, sports, the arts and other interests such as community service, student government or political activist groups. These extracurricular activities allows you to shine in areas outside the classroom and show your diversity, leadership, interests and passions. If these activities happen to align with your desired college major, your participation will demonstrate your interest and experience to college admissions teams.
• ESSAY - Essays are an important part of your application as they provide color to your application beyond just your test scores. Here, you can showcase your technical writing and storytelling skills to tell the admissions team what makes you unique. Write about a specific event, person or circumstance that has had an impact on your life. Share your personal story in a way that lets the admissions team get to know you on a personal level. They already know about your grades, accolades and recommendations. This is your time to share your own story with them.
• RECOMMENDATION LETTERS - Letters of recommendation reveal a side of the you from a different perspective and are essential to the application process. Coaches, teachers, advisors and administrators provide insights into your personality that can’t be quantified. They notice things like leadership, kindness, and integrity. When asking for recommendation letters, consider the people that can best describe your strengths, interests and ambitions. This part of your application is an important piece in showing that you are a highly qualified candidate for college admissions through your actions.
• SHOW INTEREST - Interest in the Institution
It is worth the time and effort to demonstrate interest in a college, especially ones that are your top choices. Begin by simply requesting more information or reaching out to the admissions team. Your admissions counselor will be a vital connection to the university – once you’ve been assigned a point of contact, be sure to reach out and introduce yourself. This person will be a valuable resource throughout the application process and can answer any questions you have along the way.
Hope this is helpful Xander
Jerome Dees Jr.
Sales Professional and Networking Expert
613
Answers
San Francisco, California
Updated
Jerome’s Answer
Much like the internet, sometimes the tragicness seems to play well.
I'd offer that talking about who you are and what you want to do with your degree can also have an impact. May also be a refreshing change for those who are needing to review the applications.
I'd offer that talking about who you are and what you want to do with your degree can also have an impact. May also be a refreshing change for those who are needing to review the applications.
James Constantine Frangos
Consultant Dietitian & Software Developer since 1972 => Nutrition Education => Health & Longevity => Self-Actualization.
6569
Answers
Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
Updated
James Constantine’s Answer
Dear Xander,
Getting Started
Embarking on the college application journey can sometimes feel overwhelming and nerve-wracking. It's easy to fall into the trap of thinking that your application needs to be filled with tales of tragedy or hardship to stand out. However, this is a misconception. The key to a successful application is honesty and authenticity, not exaggerated or fabricated stories of adversity.
The Power of Being Genuine
Admissions officers at colleges sift through countless applications each year. They have a keen eye for spotting essays that lack sincerity or are overly dramatic. Instead of focusing on tragic incidents, concentrate on what sets you apart. It could be a hobby, a passion, a personal hurdle you've surmounted, or a significant experience you've lived through. The goal is to be genuine and present who you truly are, rather than trying to fit into a specific stereotype or narrating a sorrowful tale.
Demonstrating Resilience and Personal Growth
While it's not mandatory to have weathered tragedy to showcase resilience and personal growth, these traits are indeed appreciated in the college application process. Colleges are keen to see your capability to rise above challenges and draw lessons from your experiences. If you've encountered hardships, it's perfectly fine to mention them in your application. However, the emphasis should be on how these experiences have shaped you and contributed to your growth, rather than on the hardship itself.
Showcasing Your Strengths and Accomplishments
Another crucial element of your college application is to spotlight your strengths and accomplishments. These could encompass academic achievements, participation in extracurricular activities, leadership roles, or voluntary work. All these factors play a significant role in how colleges assess applicants. By shedding light on your strengths and accomplishments, you can demonstrate your worth as a candidate, without resorting to tragic narratives.
Wrapping Up
To sum up, it might be tempting to center your college application around tragic events, but it's neither necessary nor recommended. Instead, concentrate on being genuine, demonstrating resilience and personal growth, and showcasing your strengths and achievements. By doing so, you can craft a compelling and unforgettable application that will help you shine in the college admissions process.
Stay blessed!
James Constantine Frangos.
Getting Started
Embarking on the college application journey can sometimes feel overwhelming and nerve-wracking. It's easy to fall into the trap of thinking that your application needs to be filled with tales of tragedy or hardship to stand out. However, this is a misconception. The key to a successful application is honesty and authenticity, not exaggerated or fabricated stories of adversity.
The Power of Being Genuine
Admissions officers at colleges sift through countless applications each year. They have a keen eye for spotting essays that lack sincerity or are overly dramatic. Instead of focusing on tragic incidents, concentrate on what sets you apart. It could be a hobby, a passion, a personal hurdle you've surmounted, or a significant experience you've lived through. The goal is to be genuine and present who you truly are, rather than trying to fit into a specific stereotype or narrating a sorrowful tale.
Demonstrating Resilience and Personal Growth
While it's not mandatory to have weathered tragedy to showcase resilience and personal growth, these traits are indeed appreciated in the college application process. Colleges are keen to see your capability to rise above challenges and draw lessons from your experiences. If you've encountered hardships, it's perfectly fine to mention them in your application. However, the emphasis should be on how these experiences have shaped you and contributed to your growth, rather than on the hardship itself.
Showcasing Your Strengths and Accomplishments
Another crucial element of your college application is to spotlight your strengths and accomplishments. These could encompass academic achievements, participation in extracurricular activities, leadership roles, or voluntary work. All these factors play a significant role in how colleges assess applicants. By shedding light on your strengths and accomplishments, you can demonstrate your worth as a candidate, without resorting to tragic narratives.
Wrapping Up
To sum up, it might be tempting to center your college application around tragic events, but it's neither necessary nor recommended. Instead, concentrate on being genuine, demonstrating resilience and personal growth, and showcasing your strengths and achievements. By doing so, you can craft a compelling and unforgettable application that will help you shine in the college admissions process.
Stay blessed!
James Constantine Frangos.
Mahi Patel
Student Advisor and Dental
99
Answers
Davie, Florida
Updated
Mahi’s Answer
College applications do not have to be tragic. While the process can certainly be stressful and challenging, it's important to remember that it's just one aspect of your academic journey. Approaching the application process with a positive mindset, good organization, and effective time management can help alleviate some of the stress.
Here are some tips to make the college application process less daunting:
Start Early: Begin researching colleges and their requirements well in advance. Give yourself plenty of time to work on your application essays, gather necessary documents, and complete any standardized tests.
Stay Organized: Create a timeline or checklist to keep track of deadlines for each college you're applying to. This will help ensure that you don't miss any important dates.
Seek Support: Don't hesitate to reach out to your school's guidance counselor, teachers, or mentors for assistance. They can provide valuable advice and support throughout the application process.
Be Authentic: Write your essays and fill out your application honestly and authentically. Admissions officers value genuine and sincere applicants.
Balance: While it's important to put effort into your applications, remember to maintain a balance in your life. Make time for activities you enjoy and prioritize self-care.
Keep Perspective: Remember that college admissions are not the sole determinant of your worth or future success. There are many paths to success, and where you go to college is just one factor among many.
By approaching the college application process with a positive attitude and strategic planning, you can navigate it successfully without it becoming a tragic experience.
Here are some tips to make the college application process less daunting:
Start Early: Begin researching colleges and their requirements well in advance. Give yourself plenty of time to work on your application essays, gather necessary documents, and complete any standardized tests.
Stay Organized: Create a timeline or checklist to keep track of deadlines for each college you're applying to. This will help ensure that you don't miss any important dates.
Seek Support: Don't hesitate to reach out to your school's guidance counselor, teachers, or mentors for assistance. They can provide valuable advice and support throughout the application process.
Be Authentic: Write your essays and fill out your application honestly and authentically. Admissions officers value genuine and sincere applicants.
Balance: While it's important to put effort into your applications, remember to maintain a balance in your life. Make time for activities you enjoy and prioritize self-care.
Keep Perspective: Remember that college admissions are not the sole determinant of your worth or future success. There are many paths to success, and where you go to college is just one factor among many.
By approaching the college application process with a positive attitude and strategic planning, you can navigate it successfully without it becoming a tragic experience.
Benjamin Hirai
Consulting
12
Answers
Woodinville, Washington
Updated
Benjamin’s Answer
Tragic events does not have to be the center of your essay. Focus on what makes you unique. The personal statement is meant to be an opportunity for students to show universities that they are more than just statistics, grades and test scores. Share your background, an example that gives insight into an area of your background that makes you unique and a conclusion of how this has made you into who you are today. Who you are today is valuable and the universities are looking for students that will contribute to the betterment of the institution. As long as you hit this overall theme, your essay will be great.
Benjamin Hirai
Consulting
12
Answers
Woodinville, Washington
Updated
Benjamin’s Answer
Tragic events do not have to be the center of your essay. Focus on what makes you unique. The personal statement is meant to be an opportunity for students to show universities that they are more than just statistics, grades and test scores. Share your background, an example that gives insight into an area of your background that makes you unique and a conclusion of how this has made you into who you are today. Who you are today is valuable and the universities are looking for students that will contribute to the betterment of the institution. As long as you hit this overall theme, your essay will be great.
eva emmer
designer, writer, producer, actor
16
Answers
Houston, Texas
Updated
eva’s Answer
I would suggest to stay true to yourself and highlight what distinguishes you from others. Given the competition for the same opportunities among numerous individuals... why you?!
Maybe if you can answer that, you can find the solution. Remember, your uniqueness is irreplaceable! You are one of a kind, and no one else can embody your essence. Each of us possesses distinct qualities that define us and set us apart from others.
So write about you, what makes you who you are and what drives you. Your experiences and your vision no matter how different they may be.
Having said that, please be sure that this is not an unacceptable concept in the U.S., I was educated in Europe so I don't want to tell you something that could potentially be disadvantageous for you.
Best Wishes!
Maybe if you can answer that, you can find the solution. Remember, your uniqueness is irreplaceable! You are one of a kind, and no one else can embody your essence. Each of us possesses distinct qualities that define us and set us apart from others.
So write about you, what makes you who you are and what drives you. Your experiences and your vision no matter how different they may be.
Having said that, please be sure that this is not an unacceptable concept in the U.S., I was educated in Europe so I don't want to tell you something that could potentially be disadvantageous for you.
Best Wishes!
Juliana Lemus
Teacher
3
Answers
Birmingham, Alabama
Updated
Juliana’s Answer
Life's challenges don't always have to be heartbreaking. College admissions offices are no strangers to essays filled with tales of sorrow. However, the real power lies in how you interpret and apply a challenging event in your life. How did you find the strength to press on and evolve from the situation? How did you make your life better? What resources did you unearth along the way?
Martha Kramer
Corporate Training, Communications
355
Answers
Stamford, Connecticut
Updated
Martha’s Answer
What a great answer, Xander! No, college essays don't have to be tragic. In fact, I bet the college admissions officers would appreciate it if your essay was not tragic. Plus, if your general life and outlook are not doom-focused, don't make your essay tragic.
So what should your essay be?
- descriptive of who you are - what are you like? what is important to you? how would you contribute to their community?
- demonstrative of how you process your world - are you thoughtful, resilient, independent, curious, etc?
- complementary to the rest of your application
- as easy to read and follow as possible - if they have to struggle to understand, they will just move on
- free of grammatical errors - if errors are too distracting, they will just move on
Good luck!
So what should your essay be?
- descriptive of who you are - what are you like? what is important to you? how would you contribute to their community?
- demonstrative of how you process your world - are you thoughtful, resilient, independent, curious, etc?
- complementary to the rest of your application
- as easy to read and follow as possible - if they have to struggle to understand, they will just move on
- free of grammatical errors - if errors are too distracting, they will just move on
Good luck!
Aren White
Freelance Copyeditor
2
Answers
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Updated
Aren’s Answer
Absolutely, there's no requirement for your experiences to be tragic. They simply need to reflect your unique potential. Even though my own life hasn't been particularly eventful, I successfully navigated through four years of college. The most important thing is how you utilize the knowledge you acquire and the actions you take moving forward.
Dr. Tulsi Patel
Dental assistant / internationally trained dentist
43
Answers
Gurnee, Illinois
Updated
Dr. Tulsi’s Answer
Your college essay doesn't have to be tragic. While some students choose to explore challenging experiences, there's no requirement to focus on negative topics. Instead, focus on authenticity. Your essay should reflect who you are, your values, and passions, and what makes you unique. Whether you write about a joyful moment, a humorous anecdote, or a reflective insight, ensure it genuinely represents you. Remember, the goal is to provide admissions officers with insight into your character and potential contributions to the campus community. So, choose a topic that resonates with you and showcases your strengths and qualities.
Good luck! :)
Start Early and Plan: Begin your essay-writing process well in advance to allow for brainstorming, outlining, and multiple revisions. Planning ahead gives you the time to explore different ideas and refine your writing for maximum impact.
Be Authentic: Write from the heart and stay true to yourself. Avoid exaggerations or embellishments—admissions officers value honesty and genuine experiences. Showcase your unique personality, passions, and perspectives authentically.
Show, Don't Tell: Instead of listing accomplishments, use vivid storytelling and specific examples to illustrate your points. Engage the reader by painting a vivid picture of your experiences and letting your personality shine through your words.
Stay Focused: Choose a clear and specific topic for your essay, and stick to it throughout. Avoid trying to cover too many topics or deviating from your central theme. Stay focused on conveying a cohesive message that highlights your strengths and character.
Seek Feedback and Revise: Don't hesitate to seek feedback from trusted individuals, such as teachers, counselors, or mentors. Use their insights to refine your essay and make it stronger. Be open to constructive criticism and be willing to revise your essay until it truly shines.
Good luck! :)
Dr. Tulsi recommends the following next steps: